How Hot Is Too Hot

[deadon]

Is there a rule of thumb for how hot a rifle barrel has to get before you let it cool SO ACCURACY IS NOT EFFECTED OR MORE IMPORTANTLY YOU DON't SCREW UP A GOOD BARREL.? Like if you can't hold it for three seconds stop shooting.I know guys with bull barrels that tell me they shoot 7 or 800 rounds a day prairy dog hunting. I have never shot over three rounds without letting my barrel cool but I love to shoot and would like to shoot more .. I have a factory mod 70 243 Feather Weight but if there is a rule of thumb then it should apply since the bull barrel takes longer to heat up, But HOT IS HOT.. Any ideas??

[ozark]

Many varables are involved but shooting ten rounds rapid fire shouldn't harm a barrel or alter accuracy. I have had machine gun barrel get hot enough to turn red but that is obviously enough to harm the barrel. Just my opinion. I am aware that it is necessary to let the Savage MLII cool after nearly each shot. But that is more due to the sabot not handling the heat rather than the barrel.

[artjr338wm]

I never allow my barrel to become more than moderately hot to the touch, but that is strictly a rule I have for insuring the barrel enjoys maximum life expectantcy and almost nothig to do with accuracy. I once read a excellent article by Gene Shillen the custom barrel maker wrote about how to get the maximum life out of your barrel.

He listed the No#1 and No#2 causes in his opinion of premature barrel wear and subsiquint loss of accuracy.
#1 in his opinion was improper cleaning techniques.
#2 was shooting so much at multiple seperate range sessions so as cause the barrel to become to hot to touch.

So to answer your question just use common sence and do not allow your barrel to heat up to the point where you think you might cause excessive wear.

[deadeye]

the more heat,the more throat erosion,thats where the heat does the damage,not the rifling. even in competition after a few sighters then the string barrel should not heat excessively.getting too warm to touch,back -off

[deadon]

Thanks Guys

[youp50]

I have a neat little Remington Model 7 CDL. The barrel is rather thin. It starts to wander at three rounds. The rifle is used for big game, shooting more than once or twice in quick succession is a rare occurrence.

[cfvickers]

I don't think their is any rule that wouldapply to all rifles. I have a 25/06 with a heavy sporter taper that won't shoot more than 5 accurate shots in a row, but a thin barreled 6.5x55 that will just get tighter the hotter it gets up untill I get scared because I can't touch it.

[Richard]

Rusty............Those guys who shoot all those shots at prairie dogs generally are shooting several rifles. They allow them to alternately cool down. Many will also shoot rimfire rifles for close shots in between the center fire shots. The intensity of the load and how fast or far apart you spread your shots will also determine barrel temperature.
Richard

[pposey]

Unless it's a really heavy barrel shots will change some with every shot and higher heat,,,, one of my 7mm-08s with a light sprter barrel prints a really cute figure 8 group if I shoot 2 shots at a time over a few days,,, 5 days, 2 shots each day one after the other for a total of 10 shots and and I will have a figure 8 with two .5 inch groups touching,,, 2nd shot is almost always .5 right and .5 high.

[cfvickers]

what you really look for is that your first two shots from a hunting rifle are close to dead on.

[Tarheel]

Ideally after you set your rifle in let it cool completely and fire one from a cold barrel and that will tell ya if the barrel was too hot while siteing in. That's why I don't like setting in rifles in the summer, it takes too long for the barrel to cool.